• Journal of KIISE:Software and Applications
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.691-696
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• 2009

Introduction: There are two types of asthma according to aspirin hypersensitivity: aspirin intolerant asthma (AIA) and aspirin tolerant asthma (ATA). The genetic risk factors that are related with asthma have been investigated intensively and extensively. However the combinatory effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have hardly been evaluated. In this paper we searched the best set of SNPs that are useful to diagnose the two types of asthma. Methods: We examined 246 asthmatic patients (94 having aspirin intolerant asthma and 152 having aspirin tolerant asthma) and analyzed 25 SNPs typed in them, which are suspected to be associated with asthma. Normalized mutual information values of combinations of typed SNPs are calculated, and those with high normalized mutual information values are selected. We use support vector machines to evaluate the prediction accuracy of the selected combinations. Results: The best combination model turns out four-locus and consists of ALOX5_p1_1708, B2ADR_q1_46, CCR3_p1_520, CysLTR1_p1_634. Its normalized mutual information value is 0.053 and the accuracy in predicting ATA disease risk among asthmatic patients is 71.14%.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.49-105
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• 2007

Objectives : Select and analyze the case record of dyspnea and wheezing asthma recorded in Xu Ming Yi Lei An that is the most abundant and wide in contents in existing case records that are systematic, comprehending relatively modern Traditional Chinese Medicine to secure more deep and objective basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine approach for dyspnea and wheezing asthma to analyze and review possibility for clinical application in this study. Methods: The study was conducted with the case records of dyspnea and wheezing asthma in whole Xu Ming Yi Lei An. Pattern identify and classify selected case records and again classified with deficiency syndrome and excess syndrome. Also analyzed prescriptions and herbs used in the case records. Nature of herbs and properties and flavors that were used in the case records were classified and frequency of each nature of herbs were analyzed. Applicable case records were interpreted and suggested prescriptions, pulse feelings, pattern classification were analyzed and described. Results : Among the 5254 case records stated on the complete collection, it is researched that there are 63 case records for the symptom complex of dyspnea as 1.2% of the whole case records, and the case records on the symptom complex of wheezing asthma are 14 as the 0.27% of the total examples. 63 case record examples related with symptom complex of dyspnea were pattern identified and classified. As a result, deficiency syndrome of the Kidney(33 %), deficiency syndrome of the Spleen(26.0%), Wind-Cold(12.3%), phlegm turbidity(12.3%), Heat in the Lung(8.2%), asthenia of the Lung(8.2%) were investigated as above order. 14 case record examples related with wheezing asthma were pattern identified and classified. As a result, phlegm-Heat(26.3%), upper excess and lower deficiency(26.3%), external affections Wind-Cold(15.8%), Dampness-phlegm(10.5%), Lung asthenia(10.5%), Cold phlegm(5.3%), mutual deficiency and detriment of Heart and Kidneys(5.3%) were investigated as above order. Symptom complex of dyspnea has 67.1% of deficiency syndrome, 32.9% of excess syndrome resulting more deficiency syndrome than excess syndrome. Symptom complex of wheezing asthma has 42.1 % of deficiency syndrome and 57.9% of excess syndrome resulting more excess syndrome than deficiency syndrome. In case of symptom complex of dyspnea prescription used in the case record, the order of frequency is as following. Palmijihwang-tang, Bojung-ikgitang, Yungmijihwang-tang, Ijintang, Sojaganggitang, Igongsan. In case of symptom complex of wheezing asthma prescription in the case record, Yungmijihwang-tang, Ohotang, Dodamtang were mostly used. Herbs used in case records of symptom complex of dyspnea are Ginseng Radix, Poria, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Aconiti Iateralis Preparata Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Rehmanniae Radix Preparat, Pinelliae Rhizoma, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens are mostly used. Nature of herb properties used for symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma are herbs that are warm properties. When the symptom complex of dyspnea and the symptom complex of wheezing asthma were treated. if the patient felt tenderness at Pyesu, doctors conducted pricking blood around the opposite Pyesu or Sipseon acupoint. when the patient didn't have tenderness at Pyesu by soft press, pricking blood was performed both sidees, right and left Pyesu. In case of the treatment of symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma, when they got treatment, when the symptom complex of disease is severe, a doctor cauterized the opposite Pyesu while the other Pyesu felt tenderness, and decided how the above treatment is performed whether the degree of the symptom compolex of disease is severe or not. In case of the treatment of symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma, if the person felt tenderness at Pyesu and is caught by the Wind-Cold pathogen, slight acupuncture is treated at relevant Pyesu with Fire needling. When patient with symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma cannot hawk sputum up from the oral and laryngopharynx, suction method is treated. Conclusion : With this study, actual traditional and clinical pattern identification form and characteristics of symptom complex of dyspnea and symptom complex of wheezing asthma were recognized. Modern case report utilizing in clinical application need to be secured and an incurable disease asthma need to be diagnosed and improvement for treatments have to be searched through other case records.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.343-350
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• 2008

Asthma and allergic diseases are one of the most common disorders in children. Due to its increased prevalence, as well as the increased morbidity and mortality from these diseases, asthma and allergic diseases have come to be recognized as a major worldwide public health issue. In addition, socioeconomic burden of asthma and allergic diseases has increased in Korea also. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) investigated the worldwide prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases using simple standardized methods because of the comparison of asthma and allergic diseases between the countries. In Korea, several epidemiologic studies have been conducted to determine the prevalence of asthma in children. Although these studies showed increased prevalence of asthma among Korean children (from 3.4% in 1964 to 10.1% in 1989), these findings were based on data from small numbers of subjects. The first Nationwide Study of Asthma and Allergies in Korean Children, which utilized the Korean version of ISAAC written and video questionnaire, was conducted in 1995 and the second Nationwide Study of Asthma and Allergies in Korean Children was conducted in 2000, directed by the Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Diseases. We report here the prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases in Korean children and adolescents, and show the changes that occurred over this 5 year period. We also describe the risk factors for development of these diseases in Korean children. We developed Korean versions of the ISAAC written (WQ) and video (AVQ) questionnaires for allergic diseases. In 1995, the enrolled population consisted of 25,117 children selected from 34 elementary school and 14,946 children selected from 34 middle school across the nation, the response rate was 94.8%. In 2000, 27,831 children selected from 34 elementary school and 15,214 children selected from 34 middle school, and the response rate was 96.4%. From these studies, we can confirm that increase of the prevalences of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis in Korea, except the prevalence of food allergy. Especially, the video questionnaire showed increases in the lifetime and 12 month prevalence rates of wheeze at rest, exercise-induced wheeze, nocturnal wheeze, nocturnal cough, and severe wheeze over this period of time in middle school children. In addition, the increase of prevalences of symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis was noted significantly. Risk factor analysis showed that body mass index (BMI), passive smoking and living with a dog or cat were associated with higher risk of wheeze. Also the occurrence of fever during infancy and the frequent use of antibiotics were associated with the risk of wheeze. In conclusion, during the 5 year period from 1995 to 2000, the prevalences of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis has increased in Korean children. BMI, passive smoking, living with a dog or cat, the fever episodes in infancy, and the frequent use of antibiotics in infancy are important risk factors to development of asthma and atopic dermatitis. In the near future, the birth cohort study will be needed to investigate the causes of this increase and the natural course of allergic diseases, then we develop the methods to control asthma and allergic diseases.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between pet ownership and asthma symptoms in Korean children. Methods: This study used data from the 8th Panel Study on Korean Children in 2015. For the final study, 1598 cases were used. Wheezing as an asthma symptom was self-reported as an outcome variable. Whether children had owned dogs or cats or not was used as an independent variable. Results: A total of 6.8% of children lived with dogs and 2.1% of children lived with cats in their homes. There were 4.0% of children who had asthma symptoms in the past year. When comparing 'children who had owned dogs for more than 12 months' with 'children who had not owned dogs', the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for 'asthma symptoms' were 1.20 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-1.30) among male children and 2.19 (95% CI, 1.94-2.46) among female children. When comparing 'children who had owned cats for more than 12 months' with 'children who had not owned cats', the adjusted ORs for 'asthma symptoms' were 38.94 (95% CI, 35.55-42.65) among male children and 5.32 (95% CI, 4.60-6.16) among female children. When comparing 'children who had owned both dogs and cats for more than 12 months' with 'children who had not owned at all', the adjusted OR for 'asthma symptoms' was 13.22 (95% CI, 11.93-14.65), and when comparing 'children who had owned cats only' with 'children who had not owned at all', the adjusted OR for 'asthma symptoms' was 9.25 (95% CI, 8.50-10.08). Conclusions: As a result, children's asthma symptoms were higher in the case of cats than with dogs, and in the case of cats, boys were more at risk than girls. In the analysis for the risk of asthma symptoms when a dog and a cat are raised at the same time, it was statistically confirmed that the children in the home were more at risk than with single animal ownership. The results of this study can be considered to be of great importance in policy-making and for the use of educational materials in the field of environmental health.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.63-67
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• 2009

Background and Objectives: In patients with asthma, increased obstruction and resistance of airway result in impairment in the generation of voice. Allergy and nasal polyposis, which are frequently observed in patients with asthma, are other factors that affect the vocal performance. Bronchodilators and steroids are commonly used in the treatment of asthma, and these agents also have been reported to be associated with voice changes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the voice quality in patients with mild to-moderate asthma by subjective and objective methods. Materials and Methods: A total of 36 patients with asthma established in the Department of Respiratory Medicine were included in this study. 23 were women and 13 were men, with a mean age of 51.7 years. The average duration of asthma was 77.0 months. All patients had mild-to moderate asthma. Acoustic and aerodynamic analyses were performed and the movements of the vocal cords were examined by videolaryngostroboscopy (VLS). Voice Handicap Index (VHI) and GRABS scales were used for subjective evaluations. Results: 50% of patients suffered from dysphonia and FO was 119.3${\pm}$23.7 Hz in male and 198.2${\pm}$18.4 Hz in female patients. There were no significant differences in average shimmer and NHR between females (4.90${\pm}$2.95% ; 0.1O${\pm}$0.04 dB) and males (4.64${\pm}$2.45% ; 0.20${\pm}$0.15 dB). However, the value of jitter was greater for females (2.60${\pm}$1.92%) than for males (1.21${\pm}$0.84%). The VHI score was above the normal limit in 35%, and VLS findings were shown diverse abnormality in 89% asthmatics from mucosal change to hyperfunction of supragottis and contact granuloma. But duration of illness and steroid dose did not correlate with these findings. Conclusion: Subjective and objective abnormality was shown in more than 50% of asthmatic patients. We suggest that persons who suffer from asthma should be examined for possible voice disorders by laryngologist. Additionally, appropriate medical care and voice therapy should be provided for those who have voice disorders associated with asthma.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2015

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and reversible airway obstruction. Methacholine (MCh) is widely used in broncho-provocation test to evaluate airway resistance. For experimental investigation, ovalbumin-induced sensitization is frequently used in rodents (Ova-asthma). However, albeit the inflammatory histology and AHR in vivo, it remains unclear whether the MCh sensitivity of airway smooth muscle isolated from Ova-asthma is persistently changed. In this study, the contractions of airways in precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) from control, Ova-asthma, and IL-13 overexpressed transgenic mice (IL-13TG) were compared by analyzing the airway lumen space (AW). The airway resistance in vivo was measured using plethysmograph. AHR and increased inflammatory cells in BAL fluid were confirmed in Ova-asthma and IL-13TG mice. In the PCLS from all three groups, MCh concentration-dependent narrowing of airway lumen (${\Delta}AW$) was observed. In contrast to the AHR in vivo, the $EC_{50}$ of MCh for ${\Delta}AW$ from Ova-asthma and IL-13TG were not different from control, indicating unchanged sensitivity to MCh. Although the AW recovery upon MCh-washout showed sluggish tendency in Ova-asthma, the change was also statistically insignificant. Membrane depolarization-induced ${\Delta}AW$ by 60 mM $K^+$ (60K-contraction) was larger in IL-13TG than control, whereas 60K-contraction of Ova-asthma was unaffected. Furthermore, serotonin-induced ${\Delta}AW$ of Ova-asthma was smaller than control and IL-13TG. Taken together, the AHR in Ova-asthma and IL-13TG are not reflected in the contractility of isolated airways from PCLS. The AHR of the model animals seems to require intrinsic agonists or inflammatory microenvironment that is washable during tissue preparation.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.251-261
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• 2023

Objective: Farmers are known to have high prevalence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). This study aims to investigate the current status of asthma and COPD in domestic and foreign farmers with the ultimate goal of raising awareness of asthma and COPD among farmers and contribute to supporting evidence for the prevention of respiratory diseases in farmers. Methods: The study utilized data from the "Farmer's Occupational Disease Survey," conducted by the Rural Development Administration, to determine the prevalence of respiratory diseases in domestic farmers. The prevalence of asthma and COPD in overseas farmers was evaluated by researching other foreign studies and articles. Results: The prevalence of asthma and COPD in domestic farmers was less than of foreign farmers'. The prevalence of asthma in domestic farmers was high as upto 8.4% and COPD upto 5.5%. Studies from Europe and America showed prevalence of asthma in farmers high as upto 14.8% and COPD upto 17.1%. Conclusions: This study conducted an investigation using the 'Survey on Occupational Diseases and Injuries in Farmers to understand the current status of asthma and COPD in domestic farmers. Due to a lack of relevant domestic research, we examined and compared with the research results on asthma and COPD among overseas farmers. Further research is necessary and preventive measures for respiratory diseases need to be developed.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2008

Objectives : The present study was to investigate the effect of extract of Chelidonii herba (ECH) on the proliferation and activation of eosinophils which were prepared from lung cells of asthma-induced mouse by ovalbumin (OVA) treatment. Methods : C57BL/6 mouse was exposed to OVA three times a week for 6 weeks. The mouse lung tissues were dissected out, chopped and dossiciated with collagenase (1 ${\mu}g$/ml). Eosinophils were activated by rIL-3/rmIL-5 co-treatments. The lung cells were treated with ECH, incubated for 48 hr at $37^{\circ}C$, and analyzed by flow cytometery, ELISA, RT-PCR, and immuno-histochemical analysis. Results : In FACS analysis, number of granulocyte/lymphocyte, $CD3e^-$/$CCR3^+$, $CD3e^+$/$CD69^+$, $CD4^+$ and $CD23^+$/$B220^+$ in asthma-induced lung cells were significantly decreased by ECH treatment compared to the control group. And mRNA expression for IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, CCR3 and eotaxin in asthma-induced lung cells, which was induced by rIL-3 plus rmIL-5 treatments, was significantly decreased by ECH treatment. In ELISA analysis, production levels of IL-3, IL-5, IL-13 and histamine in asthma-induced lung cells, which were induced by rIL-3 plus rmIL-5 co-treatment, were significantly decreased by ECH treatment. ECH treatments significantly inhibited the proliferation of eosinohils prepared from asthma-induced mouse lung tissues compared to the non-ECH treated control cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that ECH treatment significantly decreased the levels of eosipnphil activation compared to non-treated cells. Conclusions : The present data suggested that Chelidonium majus L. may have an effect on the inhibition of parameters associated with asthma responses in eosinpophils, and thus implicate the possibility for the clinical application of Chelidonium majus L.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.9
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• pp.290-295
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• 2017

Purpose: Airway pathology in children with atopic asthma can be reflected by the concave shape of the maximal expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curve and high fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) values. We evaluated the capacity of the curvilinearity of the MEFV curve, FeNO, and their combination to distinguish subjects with atopic asthma from healthy individuals. Methods: FeNO and angle ${\beta}$, which characterizes the general configuration of the MEFV curve, were determined in 119 steroid-naïve individuals with atopic asthma aged 8 to 16 years, and in 92 age-matched healthy controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to determine the cutoff points of FeNO and angle ${\beta}$ that provided the best combination of sensitivity and specificity for asthma detection. Results: Asthmatic patients had a significantly smaller angle ${\beta}$ and higher FeNO compared with healthy controls (both, P<0.001). For asthma detection, the best cutoff values of angle ${\beta}$ and FeNO were observed at $189.3^{\circ}$ and 22 parts per billion, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for the combination of angle ${\beta}$ and FeNO improved to 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87-0.95) from 0.80 (95% CI, 0.75-0.86; P<0.001) for angle ${\beta}$ alone and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.82-0.91; P=0.002) for FeNO alone. In addition, the combination enhanced sensitivity with no significant decrease in specificity. Conclusion: These data suggest that the combined use of the curvilinearity of the MEFV curve and FeNO is a useful tool to differentiate between children with and without atopic asthma.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.303-311
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• 2016

Objectives: Allergic asthma generally presents with symptoms of wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, and airway inflammation. Seonpyejeongcheon-tang (SJT) consists of 12 herbs. It originated from Jeong-cheon-tang (JT), also known as Ding-chuan-tang, composed of 7 herbs, in She-sheng-zhong-miao-fang. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of local delivery of SJT via inhalable microparticles in an asthma mouse model. Methods: Microparticles containing SJT were produced by spray-drying with leucine as an excipient. SJT microparticles were evaluated with respect to their aerodynamic properties, in vitro cytotoxicity, in vivo toxicity, and therapeutic effects on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in comparison with orally-administered SJT. Results: SJT microparticles provided desirable aerodynamic properties (fine particle fraction of $48.9%{\pm}6.4%$ and mass median aerodynamic diameter of $3.7{\pm}0.3{\mu}m$). SJT microparticles did not show any cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 macrophages at concentrations of 0.01 - 3 mg/mL. Inhaled SJT microparticles decreased the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17A, eotaxin and OVA-IgE in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in mice with OVA-induced asthma. These effects were verified by histological evaluation of the levels of infiltration of inflammatory cells and collagen, destructions of alveoli and bronchioles, and hyperplasia of goblet cells in lung tissues. The effects of SJT microparticles in the asthma model were equivalent to those of orally-administered SJT extract. Conclusion: This study suggests that SJT is a promising agent for inhalation therapy for patients with asthma.